This research project seeks to implement an early intervention program that can be effective in the prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) and infant abuse. Our hypothesis is that the Period of PURPLE Crying intervention program can reduce shaking and abuse of infants through changes in knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about early infant crying, especially inconsolable crying. In this 3-year project, we will implement and evaluate an intervention program in selected prenatal classes, hospitals, and primary care pediatric practices.

In this randomized, controlled trial, we will enroll a total of 3000 women/families who are about to give birth or have just given birth to a healthy infant. At each of the three sites (newborn nursery, pediatrician offices and prenatal classes), we will enroll 1000 subjects. Half of all subjects will receive intervention materials (a video, pamphlet and bib/burp cloth) about infant crying. The other half, the control group, will receive comparable materials on infant safety. All subjects will be asked to complete a brief questionnaire at the time of enrollment (pre test), review the materials they receive, complete the Baby’s Day Diary for 4 days when the infant is 5 weeks of age and complete a telephone questionnaire (post test) when the infant is 8 weeks of age.

To reduce the incidence of physical abuse and shaken baby syndrome under one year;

To have the Period of PURPLE Crying program adopted as a nationwide early intervention project.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

up to 4 Weeks

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects must be new parents or parents to be who are either: 1) attending participating prenatal classes; 2) delivering a baby at the participating hospital; or 3) visiting a PSPRN (Puget Sound Pediatric Research Network) pediatrician for infant care.

Only parents of infants born at > 34 weeks gestation are eligible.

Exclusion Criteria:

Parents of infants who have serious medical conditions.

Parents who don’t speak and read English.

Parents of infants born at < 34 weeks gestation.

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00105963